Pear feeding and orienting apparatus



Jan. 8, 1952 B. C. COONS PEAR FEEDING ANlj ORIENTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheep 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1944 BURTON C CO 1952 B. c. cobws 2,581,634

PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1944 6 Sheet-sSheet 3 gwue/wbob BURTON C. Co o/vs 3314;; G M QW Jan. 8, 1952 I B. c. COONS PEAR FEEDING AND ORIEN 'I'ING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 5, 1944 M BURTON Coo/vs Jan. 8, 1952 a. c. COONS PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS 6 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Dec. '5, 1944 Byerozv C; C (JO/V6 airman;

Jan. 8, 1952 c, CQONS 2,581,634

PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENT'ING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F1 [3* 1E FIlEi l7 I88 /56 /52 E Q [L I IE@@ [EEIE] grwmm BURTON C. (Sea/vs.

Patented Jan. 8, 1952 PEAR FEEDING AND ORIENTING APPARATUS 1 Burton 0. Coons, San Jose, Calif., assignor to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, a

corporation of Delaware Application December 5, 1944, Serial No. 566,694-

(o1. res-33) 13 Claims. 1

The present invention is concerned with certain new and useful improvements in apparatus for orienting and feeding fresh pears.

In my Patent No. 2,431,310 issued November 25, 1947, I have disclosed and described one suitable formof pear orienting and feeding apparatus adapted to deliver pears in properly timed relation and predetermined uniformly oriented position to a desired place of reception, as, for example, to the receiving cups of a pear preparation machine.

The apparatus of the present invention is designed for the same purposes as the other but embodies certain improvements thereover and is of simplified construction so that it is not only less expensive to manufacture but occupies less floor space and may therefore be used where maximum economy is desired and a minimum of floor space is available.

It is, therefore, the general object of this invention to provide a pear orienting and feeding apparatus of simple and inexpensive construction and which requires a minimum amount of floor space.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a pear orienting and feeding apparatus which is adapted for handling pears of all sizes and configuration and in which the orientation of the pears is automatically controlled in accordance with the size of the fruit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pear orienting and feeding apparatus of large capacityand eflicient operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptionand the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of the pear feeding and orienting mechanism of the present invention in conjunction with a pear feeding or transfer unit of a pear preparation machine.

Fig. 2 is a section of the machine shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof, some pears being shown in various stages of feeding during the operation of the machine.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the machine illustrating a feed cup and parts operatively associated therewith.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the machine taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and showing a pear in various positions during feeding and orientation thereof.

Fig. 6 is a cross section of a feed chute shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 6-6 thereof.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a modified form of feed and orienting chute, certain portions being broken away while others are shown in section.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the feed and orienting chute of Fig. 7 taken along line 88 thereof.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the feed and orienting chute of Fig. 7 taken along line 9--9 thereof.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through the feed and orienting chute taken along line Ill-40 of Fig. 8, the chute being shown in its inclined position asinstalled in the machine in conjunction with a portion of its supporting and actuating mechanism, certain parts of which are shown in section while other are illustrated in elevation.

Fig-11 is a front view of the feed and orienting chute taken in the direction of arrows ll {-11 of Fig. 8, a pear being shown as it enters the chute.

Fig. 12 is a rear view of the chute taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 8, a pear being shown in the front end of the chute.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a chain link and a portion of a transverse bar of the elevator mechanism of the machine.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the machine taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a portion of Fig.

"14 taken along line l5--l 5 thereof.

3. Divisional applications for United States Letters Patent have been filed on the chute assembly and elevator mechanism, that on the former bearing Ser. No. 762,113 and on the latter 762,114. Both of said divisional applications were filed July 19, 1947. The pears are deposited in a promiscuous mass into the tank I from which individual pears are fed at predetermined intervals by the elevator mechanism 2 into the feed, chute assembly 3. During conveyance of the pears from the tank I to the chute assembly 3 the individual pears are oriented in predetermined manner by the elevator 2 and are subsequently deposited thereby into the chute assembly 3 wherein they are finally oriented and from which. they are fed stem end first either into stationary fruit receiving pockets of a pear feeding mechanism 4 such as shown in my copending application, Serial No. 507,517, filed October 25, 1943 and now Patent No. 2,431,310 granted November 25, 1947, for Fruit Handling Machine, or directly into the fruit receiving and holding cups of a pear preparation machine such as, for instance, shown in my United States Patent No. 2,187,075 dated January 16, 1940.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings and especially to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 thereof, it will be noted that the tank I of the feeding and orienting mechanism of the present inven: tion is of rectangular construction and comprises side walls I I and I2, a front wall I3, a rear wall I4 and a bottom I6.

Secured to the side walls II and I2 of the tank I, adjacent the rear wall I4 thereof, 'are'standards IT and I8 provided with bearings I9,- 2I and 22, 23, respectively. Rotatably mounted within the bearings I9 and 22 is a transverse shaft 24, while slidably mounted within the bearing 2| and 23*is atransverseshaft 2B.

Positionedjwithin the tank- I andsecured to-- the :bot tom thereof are bearings 2T and {28 within which atransverse shaft 29 'is rotatably mountedwhich is provided with retaining collars- 3I a nid 32 (Fig. 2). Keyed to the shaft 29- and spacedfrom each other are sprocket-wheels 36 and 3'I-while keyed to the shaft- 24 and spaced with respect toeach other are sprocket wheels" 38f and; 3 9' l-f'Ihe sprocket-wheels -36 and 38are positioned" in alignment with each other andtrained around the same isan endless elevator cham (Figs.2' and 3). The sprocket wheels 3I 'and 33* are also'arranged in alignment with p ct to eachother and trained around the;

same is-an endless elevator chain 42.

Secured to the elevator chains 4| and- 42; at-- equally spaced intervals, are a plurality of transverse bars 43, each one of which is provided with a plurality of pear receiving and orienting cups or buckets] 44'.- To permit attachment ot; the

transverse bars tothe sprocket chains M and Figures'2 and 4, and carries a bracket 5| -provided with a'guide block portion 52 and a bearing portion 53. Fixed within thev guide block portion 52 are stud shafts 54 and 56'u'pon which rollers 57 -and- 58,- respectively, are rotatably mounted which are adapted to travel within a guide channel 6| of a stationary guide rail 62 during a portion of the travel of the cross bars 43' more specifically referred to later on. The

lower ends of the side walls of-the guide channel Stare flared outwardly at 6Ia- (Fig. 3) to-assure entry of the rollers 5'! and 58 into the channel duringthe operation of the machine. The guide rail 62 is secured to the side wall II of the tank I and the'standard I! by means of brackets 63 and 64, respectively, and is disposed parallel to the sprocket chain 4l (Fig. 3). The transversebars 43 are bentas shown at 66 to'receive the cups-44 in the recesses formedthereby for pur-- poses-to be explained later on.

Each of the elevator cups 44 (Fig. 4)- comprises a rear wall II and side walls I2 and I3 terminating in frontwall portions 14 and 16, respectively, which are curved toward and spaced from each other as shown at". K

V The upperends of-the side and front walls I2, 14 and73', I6, ofweach cup form continuousedges 74a and 76a}- respectively, which are gradually forwardly de clined toward the free space I1 therebetween (Figs. 2, 4, and 5) for engaging and guiding the neck end of the pear during the orientation of the fruit in the cup. Each cup 44 is further provided with a bottom I8 having a forwardly inclined portion I9 and a rearwardly inclined portion 80. The bottom I8 of each cup is cut away at BI and 82 (Fig. 4) in such a manner as to provide a downwardly extending tongue 83.

Rotatably mounted within the bearing portion 53 of each bracket 5|, previously referred to, and extending through bearing portions 84 and 85 ,ofall of the cups 44 on each transverse bar ,.43.is-a-shaftL8BKFig. 4). Fixed to the shaft 86 below the bottom of each cup are spaced pear positioning. rolls SI and 92 provided with a knurled. surface as shown in Figure 4. The rolls QI'and 92 project partially through the cut out portions 8| and 82, respectively, into the cups a'"siiffi'zientdistance above the bottom thereof so as to engage the bulb portion-of a pear; suppqrted therein Thetongue 83, previously referred; tin-extends downwardly between the'rolls BI and 92'toward the shaft Sid-(Figs. 3, 4; and 5) to prevent entry of the stem of a pear-between the rolls behind'the shaft 86.- The cups44' are; secured; to the transverse bars 43 in a position; as clearly shown in-FigureA by meansof screws 93 which are screwed into a reinforced; portion--.

94 of the cups. 7

Keyed; to one endof each shaft 86- extending beyondthe bearing portion 53 is a pinion-IOI adapted to intermesh with a rack portion I02 on --the" guide rail 52 and formingan integral part ther'ewith.

Keyed to theshaft 24 is a sprocketwheel lfla which is driven by means of a sprocket chain; I04 either by a separate motor or directly by the fruit handling orprocessing machine in conjunction with which the feeding and orienting mechanism of the present invention is used.

Mountedwithin -the --tank-I'-between the side walls II and I2 and the front wall I3 thereoii 15a fruit supply hopper I06 (Figs. Land '2 which comprises a'bottom I01, side :walls I08," lIlfii-and-xa mean-wall aI II formed by rearwall sections I II a. and -I I lb and. a plurality: of spaced verticalgrods Il2.,;The bottom I0?!v is, declined, III; and terminates :sui-w toward the rear wall ficientlyinfiront ofthe vertical rods: ,I IZ-to Drovideanppenspacefor the'front run of-the 616-3:- vetor chains 4| 1 .442 n theirensverse bars:-

43 o tmit free: t v k t eree hrou h; th

ra t? sbe m. 1 furthe r vidqez with-semkcirculancut out portions H6 (Fig. 1

and meunted on thebottom I0! and, extending into said; semi-circular out out portions are semicirculargrate structures ,I I7, each one. 0! which is provided with a plurality of radially disposed I fingers I I 8' arranged to form semi circular openingslzl in the bottom ofjthe hopper for the passage of the feed-cups;- A long hppper- -I-06 areslanted (Figs-1 and 2) and partitions 12s; I2-l',-*and 123; formed the ott ms iefie a ac nt e, tr c ur s I are provided to guide'the fruit'in the hopper I06 toward the openings IZI thereof. The partitions I26, I21, and I28 are of inverted V-shaped configuration in cross section as shown in Figure 2.

The guide rods H2 which form a portion of the rear wall of the hopper I06 are positioned behind the front runs I29 of the elevator chains 4I and 42 and are secured at their lower ends to a transversely disposed supporting bar I32 fastened to the side walls II and I2 of the tank I of the machine. The bar I32 provides the sole support for the guide rods II2 which extend upwardly parallel to the chains M and 42 directly behind the transverse bars 43.

The sprocket wheel I 03 and shaft 24 are driven in the direction of arrow I33 (Figs. 3 and 5) causing a corresponding rotation of sprocket wheels 38 and 39 to effect travel of the elevator chains M and 42 and the transverse bars 43 and cups 44 supported thereby in the direction of arrows I34 and I36 (Fig. 3) around the shafts 24 and 29.

The pears to be oriented and fed by the machine of the present invention are dumped in a promiscuous mass into the supply hopper I06 and gravitate downwardly along the inclined bottom I01 thereof upon the semi-circular grate structures II! from which they are removed one after another by the cups 44 upon the operation of the elevator mechanism 2. To prevent bruising of the pears as they are dumped into the supply hopper I 06 and to prevent bridging of the fruit therein the tank i and supply hopper I06 are filled with water to the approximate level as shown at I31 (Fig. 3). Since the pears are slightly heavier than the water they will sink therein, and gravitate to the lowest portion of the hopper. However, due to the buoyant effect of the water, the pears accumulated at lowermost region of the hopper and not received within the cups 44 and elevated thereby are easily pushed away without damage or bruising thereof as the cups travel upwardly through the promiscuous mass of pears.

While the elevator mechanism 2 is in operation and while the cups 44 travel upwardly through the hopper I06 a single pear is received in each cup 44 since the size of each cup is such as to accommodate only one pear therein. .If a pear enters a cup bulb portion first during the upward travel of the cup through the mass of pears in the hopper I06, as shown in Fig. 3, it will remain therein with the bulb portion of the pear resting in contact with one or both rolls 9! and 92 and with the stem end of the fruit projecting from the cup in any angular position it may assume. The pears so received within the cups are lifted through the mass of.

pears out of the hopper I08 while the remaining fruit within the hopper slides out of the path of the cups 44 and the pears therein and immediately settles again at the bottom of the hopper above the openings I2I for removal therefrom by the succeeding cups.

During the upward travel of the transverse bars 43, the rollers 51 and 58 of each bar enter the guide channel 6| of the guide bar 62 so that the transverse bars and cups 44 are firmly guided (Fig. 3) during their elevation toward the shaft 24.

After the pears have been received within the cups 44 of each transverse bar 43 and have been lifted thereby from the supply hopper I 06, the pinion I0l of the shaft 86 associated with each bar 43 and the transverse row of cups carried thereby engages the teeth of the stationary rack I02 so that during further upward travel of the cups 44 each shaft 86 is rotated in the direction of arrow I39 (Fig. 4) causing a corresponding rotation of the rolls SI and 92 of each elevator cup 44 in the direction of arrow I4I until the pinion IOI disengages from the rack I02 at the upper end thereof prior to the travel of the transverse bars 43 and cups 44 around the shaft 24.

Therefore, after the fruit has been received within each cup 44 and while the same is elevated in the direction of arrow I34 (Fig. 3), the bulb portion of the pear rests upon one or both rolls 9| and 92 in frictional engagement therewith and upon rotation of the rolls in the direction of arrow I M during further upward travel of the cups (Fig. 4), the pear in each cup is caused to rotate or turn on its bulb portion, depending upon its original position in the cup, either in the direction of arrow I42 or in the direction of arrow I43 (Fig. 3). When the pear is in a position as shown at I42a in Fig. 3 and rotated in the direction of arrow I42, the stem end of the fruit is swung toward the free ends of the front walls 14 and 16 until the pear assumes a position with its stem end pointing outwardly from the cup toward, or substantially toward, the front end of the machine as shown at I44 in Figure 3. When a pear is in a position as shown at I43a in Fig. 3 and its bulb portion is subsequently rotated in the direction of arrow I43, the neck portion of the pear is caused to roll along the declined upper edge 14a of the front and side Wall portions I2 and I4 of the cup 44 toward the front end thereof whereby the pear is turned sidewise into a position as shown at I44.

After each .pear in a transverse row of feed cups 44 has been oriented in substantially pre determined position as shown at I 44 (Fig. 3), and while it remains in this position, the pinion IOI disengages from the rack I02 causing cessation of the rotation of the rolls SI and 92. Thereupon the oriented pears are subsequently discharged from the cups 44 blossom end down as shown in full lines at a and a in Fig. 3, into the feed and orienting chute assembly 3 previously referred to as the cups are tilted while they travel around the shaft 24.

However, if a pear enters the cup stem end first, the heavy bulb portion of the fruit projects from the cup so that the pear will usually be pushed out of the same by the other fruit in the hopper I06 as it is elevated through the same while another pear enters the cup bulb end first and takes its place.

It sometimes happens, however, that a pear which enters a cup stem end first remains therein and is elevated thereby, such pear is not oriented by the rolls SI and 92 as above described, since its bulb portion does not contact the rolls. However, in view of the forwardly declined edges 14a and 16a of the elevator cup which engage the bulb portion of the fruit, the bulb portion of the pear will roll or slide downwardly along the same whereby the pear is turned until its bulb portion is disposed substantially above the free space I! between the free ends of the edges 74a and 16a with the bulb portion of the pear projecting from the front end of the cup as shown in dotted lines at I 43b in Fig. 3. Thereupon, as the cups are tilted during their travel around the shaft 24,

portion in leading position into the feed and 7. orienting 'chute assembly" 3 "as 1 shown. in dotted lines at band b" in Fig. 3.

The arrangement "of the cups 44 within the. recesses GB'of-the transverse bars 43 '-di'sposes=-.the= shafts 86 directly below-the bars 43 and permits;

a close spacing of the bars 43: and shafts-86 with. respect to'the guide rods .I I2 whereby lodging of the fruit between bars 43 andshafts Bfieor. between the bars '43- and guide rods I I2". and lifts-:1 ing of the fruit thereby out of the hopper I015 is'preven'ted.

The feed and orienting chuteassemhly 3 is dis-.

posed "intermediatethe elevator 2 and=thesfeed or transfer mechanism .4 and is mountedifor' The chute I5! (Figs-1,2, 3; 5', and fiiiisiof substantially tubular configurationand'is openat its top over the. entire length thereof asshown at1l3 (Fig. l). The wallportions I54 and: #56 of. the chute adjacentits open top I53 are bent upwardly and outwardly as shownin Figure .6.1

Thetbottom portion I57 'ofthe chute. is. provided with a rectan ular guide; channel i58 which ex.- tendsslongitudinally of. the. chute over the entire length of the bottom I51 (Figs; 1 and 5); The.

front endof the guide channel i58iis closed-by aiplate. .159 provided with a tongue. lfitprojecting forwardly from the front .end of the bottom 15?. ofth'e chute :toward the. elevatormeohanism 2.in slightly declined position relative to the:

chute. Positionedbehind the plate .I59 and-secured. tothe'. bottom I 57 of the. chute. is. an abut-1 ment'olock This block closes azfurtheuportion-oi. the channel I58, projects slightly. above the bottom Ifiland has an upper surface lea whichtis curved in conformity with the bottom surface-51 of the chute; The front'edg'e I54. of. the, abutment block. E52. is :adapted to engage the bulb. portion cfpears. deposited sidewise with. the bulb portion in leading. positioniinto the. chute I 5 I' by the elevatorv mechanism 2, as: shown in dotted lines at b in Fig; 3, so as to .effect;turn-. ing of these pears. as they, gravitate towardthe. rear or discharge end IE5 of the chute-etc dispose thestem ends of thepears inleadingq position in which the. same are subsequently maintained .7;-

by their contact with the chute and their reception in the guide channel I58 thereof to thereby eirect discharge of the pears stem end first from the chute IEI. The pearsdischarged bulb end down into'the chute. as shown infull linesat 2 Win Fig. 3,'topple readily overwith-theirstern ends into leadingposition as they gravitate downthe chute without the assistance or" the abutment IE2: and are.maintained inthis position'by the chute and the guide channel ;I58"for.discharge stem end first therefrom.

The side wall portions I? I and I 12 of the chute I55 as well as the upwardly and outwardly bent: portions ass and 56 thereof are flared-outwardly toward the front end of the chute, as shown at l'iS and IM, and terminate into outwardly flared and upwardly inclined guide walls v.I'Ifiand H1 projecting, from. the front. end. of the chute which straddle the cups Muas .theypassthe same. (Figs-1, 3, and 5)..

The: guideiw-alls' I15 andlll and the curved portions net and I56 of the chute" l5l are adapted to guide the stem .end of the fruitztoward-the. center of the chute and to facilitate the entry of the pear into. the tubular portion of the chute insuch a manner'that whenthe pear'is turned with its. stem end into leading position either. with-or Without assistance-by the abutment block I62 during, the downward gravitation of the pear along the chute, in a manner as previously .refe'rredtto. herein, the stem end of the fruit will enter. the. guide channel I53 whereby the fruit is maintained inoriented position as it gravitates through the chute. and is discharged therefrom.

Thetongue Itl is so constructed and arranged that'it will enter the opening H in the front end of. the elevator cups 44 cooperating therewith and permit passage of the cups 44 without interference therewith. 1

Each of the feed and orienting chutes I5! and I52'issupported inrearwardly declined position on the shaft 26 previously referred to by means. of supporting brackets I8I adjustably mounted on the shaft/25110 311 normally held in fixed posi-v. tion thereon by means of set screws I82.

The long feed and orienting chutes I5! are rcarwardly declined in such a manner as to feed the pears oriented therebystem end first into fruit receiving'pockets I86 of the pear feeding device 4, while the short feed and orienting chutes. 52 are rearwardly declined in such a. manner as to feed'the pears oriented'thereby. stem end first into fruit receiving pockets; I88 of the feed device 4. The angular disposition of thechutes I51 and I52 being such as toassure gravitation'of the pears therethrough and proper, dischargetherefrom. By loosening and subse-1 uently tightening the set screws I82 the. angularityxof the chutes may be adjustedas desired.

The construction of the feed or transfer mechanism' 4,.only iragmentarily showninFigures l, 2, 3,-and 5, corresponds to that disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 507,517, previously referred to herein. In general, this-feed mechanism 4 comprises a group of pockets ISBa and 18% designated group I and a group of pockets lfifib'and [38b designated group II (Figs. 1, 16, and 17). Each of these pockets comprises two separate pivotally mounted members I96 and i9! forming an open bottomed substantially frusto conical cup which is opened and closed in timed relation with the operation of the fruit receiving means of' a fruit preparation-machine associated therewith (not shown) The'fruit receiving pockets I8Ea and I88a of groupI are simultaneously opened and closed under the control of an actuating arm i532, while the. pockets IBSb'and I881) of group II are opened and closed simultaneously under the control of an actuating arm I83; The actuating arms I92jand I93'are operated in timed relation by thefruit preparationmachine in connection with which the transfer mechanism dis used. Bothfgroups of..pockets and Here alternately operated. However,.-their operation is suchthat there i a considerable period during which .the pockets, of.

bothgroupsare closedand readytoreceive fruit.

as willbe apparent. from my copending. application above referred to.

chutes II are in alignment with the pockets I86a and IBBb and the cups 44 of the elevator mechanism 2 (Figs. 1 and 16), the short chutes I52 are out of alignment-with the cups 44 and the fruit receiving pockets IBM. and I881). After the pears have been fed in oriented position to the pockets I 86a. and lime by the chute I5I the whole feed chute assembly 3 is transversely shifted in the direction of arrow I9Ia (Fig. 1) so as to align the short feed chutes I52 with the elevator cups 44 of the elevator mechanism 2 and the pockets IBM and I881) of the feed mechanism 4 into which the next pears are fed (Fig. 17). Thereupon the feed chute assembly 3 is returned to its original position as shown in Figures 1 and 16 and in this manner the cycle of operation of the feed chute assembly repeats and continues during the operation of the machine.

The shifting of the feed chute assembly 3 in the manner as above described is effected by a rotary cam I94 (Figs. 1, 2, and 14) which is fixed on the shaft 24 for rotation therewith in the direction of arrow I95 in Figures 1 and l4.

The rotary cam I94 is provided with a groove 196 within which a cam roller I91 (Fig. 14) rotatably mounted on an arm I98 is received. The arm I98 is mounted on the shaft 26 and is fixed thereto by means of a key I99. Rotatably mounted on the free end 2IlI of arm I98 is a roller 202 (Figs. 14 and 15) which is received within a guide slot 203 of a transversely extending guide bracket 204 disposed parallel to shaft 26 and forming an integral part of the standard I8 previously referred to. The cam groove I96 of the rotary cam I94 is undulated in such a jthepoekets I86a, I86b, and I88a, I881), in the manner above referred to. During the back and forth movement of the feed chute assembly 3, the roller 202 travels back and forth in the guide slot 253 of bracket 294 but prevents rotation of arm I98, shaft 26, and assembly 3.

From the above it will, therefore, be seen that when the feed chute assembly 3 is in the position as shown in Figures 1 and 16, the pears received and oriented within the cups 44 of one bar 43 are discharged thereby, depending on their position in the cups, either blossom end down, as

shown in full lines at a (Fig. 3), or on their side with the blossom end in leading position, as shown in dotted lines at b (Fig. 3), into the feed chutes I5I as the elevator cups are tilted during their travel around the shaft 24 and begin their down- .ward movement in the direction of arrow I36 r Fig. 3).

The pears are normally discharged blossom end down from the cups 44 and are deposited stem .end up between the flared extensions I16 and I11 at the receiving ends of the chutes I5I so that they fall with their blossom ends upon the tongues I6I of the chutes. as shown in full lines at a. in Fig. 3. The flared extensions I16 and I11 of each feed chute I5I guide the stem end of the pear toward the center of the chute, while the momentum imparted upon the pear during its discharge from the cup 44 and the inclination of the chute to cause the pear to topple over on its side whereby the stem end of the pear is disposed into leading position, as shown at c in 10 Fig. 3. Thereupon, the pear lying on its side slides downward along the chute and discharges stem end first therefrom.

Any pears, however, received stem end first in the cups 44 are discharged from the elevator cups sidewise into the chute with their blossom ends disposed in leading position, as shown in dotted lines at b in Fig. 3, and are guided into the chute by the flared extensions I16 and I11 as they slide downwardly along the chute. During the downward travel of these pears, the bulb or blossom end thereof strikes against the front edge 64 of the abutment block I62, as shown in full lines at d in Fig. 5, whereby the downward movement of the blossom end of the pear is retarded. In view of the momentum imparted upon the fruit during its discharge from the ele vator cups, the fruit is caused to topple over in the direction of arrow 206 (Fig. 5) as soon as the downward movement of the bulb or blossom end thereof is retarded by the abutment block I62 whereby the pear is disposed with the stem end thereof in leading position with the pear lying on its side, as shown at e in Fig. 5, in which position the pear now gravitates downward the inclined chute and finally discharges stem end first therefrom.

In either case, however, as the pear topples over, the stem end thereof is guided by the upwardly and outwardly curved portions I54 and I56 of the chute until the pear is received entirely within the feed chute I5I and the stem end thereof is disposed in leading position. During this orientation of the fruit, the stem end thereof drops into the guide channel I58 in the bottom I51, as shown at 201 (Fig. 5), which maintains the pear with its stem end in leading position and guides the pear during its further travel through the chute so that the pear leaves the discharge end I66 of the chute stem end down, as shown at 208 (Fig. 5), and subsequently slides stem end first into the pocket I86a disposed therebeneath in closed or fruit receiving position. Due to the conical configuration of the pocket IBGa, the

, fruit is disposed and supported stem end down therein as shown in dotted lines at 299 in Figure 5.

The diameter of the tubular chutes I5I and I52 is larger than the diameter of the fruit but is such that when a pear has been completely received therein and is approximately in a position as shown at e (Fig. 5), the pear is prevented from turning sidewise or turning over about its stem end. However, the diameter of the chutes is sufiiciently large to permit free gravitation of the pears through the chute. Since the pears 'vary considerably in size, it is therefore necessary to grade the pears so as to assure that they are neither too small nor too large with respect to the diameter of the chutes. Chutes of different diameter are employed for small, medium size, or large Dears, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

After the pears discharged from one transverse row of cups 44 into the chutes I5I have been oriented and delivered by said chutes to the pockets E86a and I86b, and while the next transverse row of elevator cups approaches its discharge position during its travel around the shaft 24, the feed chute assembly 3 is shifted from its position shown in Figures 1 and 16 to its position shown in Figure 17 by the rotary cam I94 in the manner as previously described herein.

When the feed chute assembly arrives in the position as shown in Figure 17, the short feed chutes I 5-2. are-now. aligned with the I succeeding .chargerthe pears=stem end down therefrom. into one group of fruit receiving and holding. means of. a pearprocessing. machine, as shown. inmy copending application Serial No. 507,517, and

' thereafter. all pockets-186a and 188a of groupl of the. feed mechanism 4 arerapidlyopened and closed. to discharge the pears stem end down i from thelsame into another group of. fruit receivingand holding means of a pear processing machine, while the'feed chute assemblyt: is returned-to the-position shown in Figures 1 and=16 andthe cycleof operation ofthelmachineoflthe present invention repeats and continues the same manner as described herein.

In- .this-manner the pears dumped. in-a pro- 7 miscuous mass intov the supply hopper 196. are

continuouslyfed in. oriented position to the pockets I35 of the feed mechanism 4. and all thatis: necessary to assure. the continuous operation of: the machine at maximum feeding ca.- pacityis to maintaina sufficient supplyof p ars in-the hop-per I06.

It. has been-stated previously herein that the tank. andhopper 1.96. are filledwith water. toa predetermined level I31 (Fig. 3)... However, if desired, theuse. of. water. may be. eliminated and thelruit may. be fed without. the aid. of water from. the supply hopper E95. .111. such. case-,--howvever,.'ca're has to. be taken thatthe. fruitis not bruised when. it. is dumped. into the. hopper I96 and that the hopper is not overfilled so asv to eliminate bruising of the fruit by. the elevator While, for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, aplurality of transverse: rows of elevator cups anda plurality of feed. and. orienting chutes have. been shown, it. will be. apparent that. onlyone cup it; on. each cross bands and. a singlestationa-iw feeding. and orienting chute ['51. or. [.52 may be employed. if. itisJdesired to feed. a fruit handling machine-which. is

onlycapable of receiving one pear at a.;time.. In

suchcase, thew-idthof the feedhooper [.35 should be. materially reduced, since only one. gratestruc- .ture Ill-and one opening 12! in the hopper-bottom [Ill-is necessary for. such a small. machine .aswillbe obvious to those skilled in. the art.

.I'tl. has..been. mentioned in the-above that'by usingthe. feed chutes as shown at mi and 52 it is necessary to grade the fiuit and that-chutes of different diameter must beemployed forv small,

corresponds in lengthto the short chutes 1.52has e e-s1; 6.3.4

been. shown herein; longer; chutes; of: thee same construction which correspond, in a length; the chutes l5 l areemployedin alternate: order there: with-in the same-manneras, the short andilong chutes 15!; and. IE2, previouslydescribed-hares in, aswill be apparent to thoseversed; in the art.

The chute 216 (Figs; '7 to. 12) ccmprises'an OPFn endedtrough 211 of substantially. semi-circular configurationin cross section and anautomatie callyadjustable. guide structure: 2K8 associated therewith. The troughxzil isof. sufficient. width to permit passage. of..thelargest pears therethrough and the bottom. portion 2 19. thereof i'is provided witha guide channel. 22d! otsubstan. tially: rectangular configurationin cross section which extends over. the .entire, length .of the; bot.- tom in the center. thereof. Mounted within; the guide channel 22 Sand rojecting fromthairont end .of. the trough 2i 7. in forwardly declined.posi.- tion relative thereto is a tongue 222, whichis adapted. to 7 extend into opening ll and into the space. betweenitherolls 91'. and. 92. soflthat the cups, 44. may freely pass. the. same. The rear endof the tongue-22.2 is formed.into alprotubere ance 22.3 extending transversely of. thebottom portion 219 (Figs. Sand 10) andprojecting into the trough 2-H slightly above the bottomportion thereof.. The sidewalls of. the trough 2H designated 224 and225 terminateinto outwardly flared. and laterally inclined extensions 228 and 22'! which project forwardly beyondtheiront end of the bottom portion 259 of the chute.

The guide. 2H8 comprises two guide.plates.22'8 and 229 connected by a stiff wire..23| whichis welded theretoat 232 and.2.33i-(Fig. 8). The. wire 23! ismade in. the formof a. bridgeof sufficient height to permit passage of the. fruit..in,..the trough 2H therebeneath. Eachguide plate22l3 and. 229' comprises a, transverselydisposed top portion 236, the inner side. of whiclrisbent' up? wardlyand outwardly. so as; to. form a curved innerguide Wall 231. The outer. side oileach guide plate is bent'downwardly to. form aside wall 238. The front end 2M. of each guide plate 228 and 229 is provided with a neck and, stem end'guiding and centering plate 242 which includes a downwardly declined portion. 243,,which is outwardly flared toward the receiving endof the chute 2H6, and an outwardly flared substantially vertical portion 244 bent outwardly atits upper end 246 to. provide a. curved edge 241. The entire guide structure 2l8 is hinged on. the side walls 224 and 225 of the trough 2|! by means .of

links 25f. and 252. (Figs. 7, 9, and 1.0).. The front ends. of the links 25! and252 are pivotallysecured to the side wall's238 of the guide. plates 228 and 229. by means of pivot pins 253 and 25.4, respectively. The rear ends of the links 251 and 252 are' pivotally secured to the trough 211 by means of pivot pins 256 and 25! carried by the V side wall portions 224, and 225. An extension258 on each. link is adapted to engage an abutment 2.6.! on each side of the trough 2i! to limit pivotal movement of the guide 2) about the rear employed in connection with the machine of the present invention, a plurality of short and long chutes of this type are arranged in alternate order on the shaft 26 in rearwardly declined positions to form a chute assembly which is similar to andoperated in the same manner as the chute assembly 3 previously described herein.

.All of the chutes 2h: function in the same manner and, therefore, only the description of the function of one chute 2H5 is given herein.

, When a pear is discharged blossom end down byone of the feed cups 44 into the front end of thechutellfi, the blossom end of the fruit is re- ,ceived by the tongue 222 and is guided by the flared extensions 226 and 22'! toward the center ;of1the chute. Thereupon in view of the momentum imparted upon the fruit during its discharge .fromthe feed cup and declination of the chute, the pear gravitates into the chute and topples over wi th.its stem end into leading position in the samemanner, as previously described herein in connection with chute ll.

-,When a pear, however, is deposited sidewise into, the chute 2l5 with theblossom end of the .pear in leading position the pear gravitates down- ;wardlyin this position until the blossom end strikes the abutment 223. This engagement of the abutment 223 with the blossom end retards the downward movement thereof so that in view of the momentum of the fruit the same topples over whereby the pear is disposed with its stem fend in leading position in the same manner as set forth in theabove in connection with chute i5l. lneither case, however, the neck portion of the pear is received between the guide plates 262 and is guided thereby and the curved guide walls 523,! as the peartopples over as above described (Figs. 10, 11, and 12). i

When a small pear is deposited into the chute 2 l 6, the guide 2 l8 remains in its normal or lower- ;most position as shown in Figure '7. However, if a pear of medium or large size is deposited into ,the chute N6. the bulb portion of the fruit engages the inwardly converging and downwardly .and outwardly diverging guide walls 243 (Figs. --10, 1'1, and 12) and lifts the front end of the guide 2H3 sufficiently, as shown in full lines in Fig. 10, to permit entry of the pear into the ,trough 21? as the fruit topples over, as shown in dotted lines in Fig and gravitates toward the discharge end 2 56 of the chute; As soon as the pear is disposed with its stem end in leading position, the stem end of the pear enters the .guide channel 22| which retains the same in this .position during further travel of the fruit through the chute. The guide walls 254 and the curved edges 24? assist in properly guiding the .fr uit and as soon as the oriented pear is completefly received within the chute 2l6 and is about in "the position as shown in dot-dash lines at 259 and of such size that its bulb portion engages the top "portions 235 (Fig. 10), the guide 2E8 pivots about the pivot pins 253 and 254 from its full lin position to the position shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 10 whereby the front end of the guide is lowered and the rear. end of the guide is lifted to permit further passage of the pear through the chute and subsequent discharge of the" fruit returns by its own gravity to its original position as shown in Fig. 7. r i

The top portions 236 which either engage the bulb portion of the pear or are slightlyspaced tation of the pear through the chute while in engagement therewith.

From the above it will, therefore, be seen that when the modified chute structure 216 is used in connection with the machine of the present invention, pears of all sizes may be fed in properly oriented position, i. e., stem end first into the pockets I86 and 88 of the feed mechanism 4 or .into any other type of fruit receiving means of a fruit handling or processing machine without changing of the chutes of the chute assembly 3 for different sizes of fruit.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, such invention is capable of modification and variation without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for feeding and orienting pears comprising in combination a feed and orienting chute adapted to receive and guide pears along a, predetermined path, a transferring conveyor for receiving pears in timed succession and in an indeterminate position from a promiscuous mass thereof, means associated with said transferring conveyor for orienting pears therein during a transferring conveyance of the pears,

jsaid transferring conveyor being adapted to deposit the oriented pears individually blossom end down at timed intervals into said chute, and

means for mounting said chute in declined posi tion to cause the pears received blossom end down therein to gravitate along said chute said chute being adapted to dispose the stem end of the pears in leading position therein.

2. A pear feeding and orienting mechanism comprising in combination, a supply hopper for receiving a promiscuous mass of pears, a conveyor adapted to travel into and out of said hopper through an opening in the bottom thereof for removing individual pears in indeterminate position from said mass and for subsequently discharging them therefrom, means associated ceiving the oriented fruit discharged from said chute.

3. A pear feeding and orienting mechanism comprising in combination a supply hopper for receiving a promiscuous mass of pears, a conveyor adapted to travel into and out of said hopper through an opening in the bottom thereof for removing individual pears in indeterminate position from said mass and for subsequently discharging them therefrom, means associated with said conveyor for orienting the pears received therein in predetermined position prior to their discharge from said conveyor, an orient- "of said assembly,

.egssnese substantially vertical and for discharging them in said position, and means for operating said conveyor and said discharging means in timed relation with respect to each other.

4. A pear feeding and orienting mechanism comprising movable feed and orienting chute assembly including a plurality of inclined chutes,

means for feeding pears to every other chute of said assembly, a plurality of separate receiving.

means mounted adjacent the lower ends of said chutes and means for moving said assembly back and forth relative to said feedingmeans to alternately align alternate chutes with said feed "ing" means and with separate receiving means.

'5. A :pear feeding and orientingsmechanismcomprising a movable feed and orienting chute assembly including-a pluralityof feed and orienting chutes, means for feedingindividual pears at timed intervals to one end of every otherchute separate receiving means mounted adjacent the other end of said chutes,

and means for moving said chute assembly back and forth transversely of "said feeding means and in timed relation to the'operation thereof to alternately align alternate chutes of said assembly with said feeding means, and with separate "receiving means.

6. A pear feeding and orienting mechanism comprising "supply means containing a promiscuous mass of pears, a pluralityrof pear receivers disposed in a predetermined pattern'removed from said supply means a movable feed and orienting chute assemblyincluding' a plurality of pear' conveying and orienting chutes,

disposed between the supply and the receivers a-conveyor intermediate said supply means and chute assembly for'feeding individual pears from said promiscuous mass to said assembly, and

means for movingsaid assembly transversely back and forth relative to said conveyor to alterhately align one or the other of the orienting chutes with said conveyor and with alternate receivers of said plurality for transmission of pears from's'aidconveyor to alternate receivers.

7.-A pear feeding and orienting mechanism "comprisinga movable "chute assembly including aplurality of declined pear conveying and orienting chutes to cause the pears received chute of the assembly whereby the pears are caused to tip over in said chutes to dispose their stem ends "into leading position during their gravitation through said chutes, and means for j'shifting the assembly relative to the conveyor to successively align alternate chutes of the'as- "semblywith said conveyor for reception of pears therefrom.

#8. A pear *feeding and orienting mechanism comprising a" conveyorpa plurality of'pearfreceiving pockets disposed at differentdistan'ces from's'aid conveyor, a pear conveying and orient ln'g" chuteassembly intermediate said conveyor and pcckets including chutes of different length and declination arranged in alternate order, and means for reciprocating said assemblybetween "said conveyor and pockets for alternately feed mg pears from said conveyor topOcketsEciisposeH' at different distancesitherefromr I 9; apparatus .for feeding :and "orienting pears comprising a declined.opencended?chute.

"a hopper for receiving a promiscuous massiof pears; means for feeding the pears'from 'said hopper to said chute and for depositing them blossom 'end down into said chute at one end thereof whereby the 'pearsare caused'to-grav'ita'te along saidlchute and to arrange themselves with their stem ends in leading position therein, a

plurality of means at the other end of the-chute for receiving the pearsin oriented position there from; and means for depositingsuccessive pears in alternate receiving means.

10. An apparatus for feeding and orienting pears comprising a; declinedchute,- means-for feeding individual p'ears from a promiscuous mass thereof to said chute and for depositing tliem blossom end down in said chute 'at' the upper end thereof whereby the pears are caused tb gravitate along said chute and to arrangementselves with their stem' ends in leading'position, a plurality of meansat thelower'en'd-of' the 'chiite for receiving the pears in oriented position tliere from, and means for depositing successive pears in alternate receiving means.

11. A'fruit feeding mechanism compr'lsi'ng' in combination a conveyor adapted'to convey-"fruit and to discharge pieces of said fruit at predetermined timed intervals at a predetermined zone, a plurality of fruit receivers mounted below said discharge "zone, 'a shiftable chute assembly adapted to communicate alternate receivers or said plurality thereof with said discharge zonc, and timed actuating means mounted "to shif t said chute assembly in timed relation with said conveyor to communicate alternate receivers with said discharge zone at the time of discharge of successive pieces of fruit therefrom.

- 12. A pear feeding and orienting mechanism comprising in combination, a 7 supply hopperfor containing a promiscuous mass'of pears, a trans-' said chute meansfor gravitating movement there"- through, and means for shifting said" chute means back and forth between a plurality of positions in' timed relation to the feeding Jof pears thereto, thereby to discharge successive pears fed to said chute means at alternate points of discharge.

BURTON C. COONS'.

REFERENCES CITED V The following references are of record inthe' file of thisv patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name *Date Ray Feb.' '21,' 1911 Lorenzen Oct? 3,1911

Number (Other references on following page) Number Carroll Dec. 9, 1941 Number Number Name Date Carroll Feb. 10, 1942 Ashlock Sept. 22, 1942 Carroll Oct. 13, 1942 Gantzer Feb. 8, 1944 Woodberry Nov. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 6, 1910 

